6 Reasons to Buy FL Studio (And not Steal it)

FL Studio is a hugely popular DAW, and rightly so. It’s my DAW of choice for a number of reasons. It’s also, however, a very popular DAW to crack and it’s sadly all too easy to get your hands on a dodgy (read ‘illegal’) copy…

Admittedly, my own first copy of FL Studio, many years ago, was on a hard-drive full of software and samples that a friend let me borrow. Thinking back, it’s almost certain that was a cracked version as I just clicked it and it worked, without any registration that I can recall. I certainly didn’t pay anything for it. But back then I was completely new to computer based music and had no idea what I was doing. I just played around with FL studio for a bit of fun.

When I decided I wanted to have a proper go at computer based music I saved up the money to buy FL Studio from Image-Line. And I would absolutely recommend that anyone intending to use FL Studio seriously does the same. There are a number of reasons for this, as follows.

1. You get SUPPORT

When you buy FL Studio from Image-Line you also become eligible for full and immediate online technical support, as well as having access to the latest software updates and bug-fixes. If you’re not using a legitimate version of the software you will not be eligible for support, and when your version plays up or stops working, you’ve got nowhere to turn. There’s also a huge on-line community of FL Studio users in the Image Line forums and elsewhere online, including some great Facebook groups. But if you are openly using an illegal version of their software you will not get any help from them.

2. You get SECURITY

Think about it… someone willing to go to the effort to illegally crack software and distribute it is unlikely to be the most honest person in the world. How do you know, when you run that executable, or install that registry file, that it’s not going to sneakily do something else in the background? After all, why would they be so happy to give you something so valuable for free if there wasn’t anything in it for them? I’m talking viruses, trojans, adware and malware that can all be sneakily loaded onto your PC if you’re running software that is not from a legitimate source. This could do anything from simply annoy you to seriously damage your computer, or worse still, allow someone to gain access to your personal details, documents, passwords etcetera… Is that really worth the risk? Buy FL Studio from Image-Line and you know you’re secure.

3. You Get a Lifetime of FREE UPGRADES

Now this really sets FL Studio apart from many other DAWs. You buy once, whichever the latest version is. And from then on, whenever a new version is released, you will be able to legally install and run that new version absolutely free. And that’s for life.

If you’re using an illegal version of the program and you want the latest upgrade, but you still don’t want to pay? Well you’ll have to find a new, illegal, cracked version. Which will bring a whole new load of nasty extras to your PC. Good luck with that!

4. You will be SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPERS

When software is bought legally, and the money goes to the developers, that allows the developers to re-invest in paying their programmers and further improving their software. That program you’re using that is so damned awesome took time and skill and money to create. If everybody decided to steal that software instead of buying it, Image Line wouldn’t be able to afford to keep improving it. By stealing the software you are killing your own favourite DAW.

5. Illegal software is ILLEGAL

This seems obvious but so many people don’t seem to appreciate that if you use ILLEGAL software, you are breaking the law. Not even in any kind of ‘cool’ gangster way… If that’s your style. Nope, you’re breaking the law in a lame, sneaky thief kind of way. If you get caught you can face a large fine and even time in prison. That would be fun for you.

6. It’s not even THAT EXPENSIVE!

Honestly, compared to other DAWs and musical equipment that us poor musicians are willing to fork out for, FL Studio is very affordable (and don’t forget the lifetime free upgrades!). As someone who’s built a small home-studio on a tight budget I massively appreciate the value for money you get from Image Line when you buy their software. As well as all the factors mentioned above there’s also the fact that FL Studio is an amazing DAW.

It’s your choice if you buy FL Studio or not…

At the end of the day, it’s up to you if you want to ignore all of this and seek out cracked software. Not everyone can afford even the low cost of FL Studio, and some people just prefer stealing stuff to paying for it. But you do so at your own risk and to the detriment of those who create the software you’re using. Just be careful and if you do eventually get to the stage where you’re making money from your music, do the honourable thing and BUY FL STUDIO!